A trial judge's direction to a jury to disregard an incident observed in the courtroom may be rendered inadequate if the direction simultaneously acknowledges the possibility that the incident was as prejudicial as the jurors perceived it to be. Where identification evidence is the sole basis for a prosecution case, the cumulative effect of multiple difficulties — including chaotic circumstances, inconsistencies in description, influence of rumour, significant delay, and the displacement effect — may render a guilty verdict unreasonable even where the identifying witness presents as honest and sincere.
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